On this day in 1967, Roger Ebert wrote his first movie review in the Chicago Sun Times.

Ebert was born in Urbana, Illinois in 1942. While attending the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, he was the editor of the college newspaper. He began his professional career in journalism in 1966 as a reporter and feature writer at the Chicago Sun-Times. It was only a short time, however, before he began writing about movies. In the spring of 1967, he took the position as the Sun-Times movie critic, replacing Eleanor Keane. Ebert’s first review was of the film Galia (1966).

Even though Ebert became the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1975, his real fame came when he began to review movies on television. Ebert teamed with Gene Siskel, movie critic for the Chicago Tribune, to broadcast a local television show reviewing movies.

In 1982, the local show moved to a national audience. The format was simple: Two movie reviewers sitting in a theater talking about movies. After showing a movie clip, Siskel and Ebert would discuss the movie, giving it either a “thumbs-up” or “thumb-down” review. When the two critics disagreed, sparks flew. When the two critics agreed, giving “Two Thumbs Up, the film became a must-see movie for millions (1).

Today’s Challenge: All Thumbs Up or Down?

What are some specific works of art or design — a movie, album, television show, video game, or product — you know enough about to review? Select something you feel strongly about — either good or bad — and write a detailed review, explaining what specifically you like or dislike. (Common Core Writing 1 – Argument)

Quotation of the Day:A bad review is like baking a cake with all the best ingredients and having someone sit on it. -Danielle Steel